"People are probably going to realize they can live with a lot less government than what they thought they needed."

There it is, your "reinvented" Republican party, always reaching out to Americans with that big, white helping hand.

Maybe Marsha, Marsha, Marsha should have taken a peek at the number of posts on the devastating effects the GOP government shutdown is having on this country, the reporting by newspapers and other online publications on how more and more Americans are struggling. It's a little staggering, but to Blackburn and her buddies... meh.

The National Association of Realtors reports sales of existing, single-family homes jumped 6.5% in July from the month prior to an annualized rate of 5.39 million units, handily topping expectations of a 5.15-million rate. The reading was the highest since November 2009 as the U.S. housing market continues recovering.

Darn that Fox Business, sending me upbeat economic news alerts like these! Don't they know they're supposed to rip reports like these to shreds and go negative at every turn? Someone over there didn't read the memo:

The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market index surged to 52 in June from 44 in May, easily topping forecasts for 45. This is the first time the index has been above 50 since April 2006, suggesting more homebuilders view conditions as favorable than those who see them as poor.

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The New York Federal Reserve's regional manufacturing gauge jumped to 7.8 in June from -1.4 in May, easily beating expectations of zero. Readings above zero point to expansion, while those below indicate contraction.

New claims for U.S. unemployment benefits fell to 335,000 last week -- the lowest level since January 2008 -- from an upwardly revised 372,000 the week prior. Claims were expected to fall to 365,000 from an initially reported 371,000.

U.S. housing starts jumped 12.1% in December from November to an annualized 954,000-unit rate, the highest rate since June 2008. Permits rose 0.3% to an annualized rate of 903,000 units.